Abstract

Determining the in vivo bactericidal potential of novel agents is critical for selecting drug candidates. Described in this
unit are two protocols that measure the amount of bacterial killing under very different conditions. The mouse pouch protocol
is a rapid assay that provides efficacy data in an acute infection, whereas the rabbit tissue cage protocol assesses the ability
of a compound to eradicate bacteria in a chronic abscess infection. Data from these tests, along with those from other qualitative
and quantitative assays, are important for defining antibacterial efficacy in vivo.

This is the main publication for the rabbit abscess model and describes, in detail, the study with levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The pharmacokinetics for both drugs are also described.

Fernandez et al.,
2001. See above.

This is the main publication for the mouse pouch assay. It contains data on levofloxacin and erythromycin against S. aureus Smith. It also describes efficacy data for linezolid, vancomycin, and RWJ‐54428 against MRSA and glycopeptide‐intermediate S. aureus (GISA) strains. There is also limited pharmacokinetic data for some of the compounds in plasma and pouch fluid.

Li et al.,
2004. See above.

This reference describes a rabbit abscess model using P. aeruginosa as the infecting organism. The authors compare the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of piperacillin and piperacillin/tazobactam.

Xuan et al.,
2001. See above.

This paper describes a rabbit tissue cage model with S. pneumoniae as the infecting organism. It contains the efficacy and pharmacokinetic data of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin in this model.